Template - Date: Betway Premier League Night 1

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and Gary Anderson battled out a draw as the 2017 Betway Premier League season opened with a thrilling night in Newcastle, as Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade and Peter Wright picked up victories.

Reigning Premier League champion Van Gerwen saw his 32-game winning run ended as Anderson produced a gutsy fightback from 2-0 and 3-1 down in front of a sell-out 7,000 crowd at the Metro Radio Arena. An explosive opening from Van Gerwen saw legs of 12, 13 and 11 darts put him in command before Anderson produced a superb 130 checkout to level at four-all and a 13-darter to move 5-4 up.

Van Gerwen hit back with a 14-darter in the tenth before Anderson secured a minimum of a point with a 114 checkout, but the World Champion took out 68 in the decider to share the spoils.

Six-time Premier League champion Phil Taylor began his final season in the tournament with a 7-3 defeat of Dave Chisnall, who never recovered from seeing a slow start punished as the 56-year-old moved 4-1 up. Chisnall’s first leg had been an 11-darter, and he then took out 160 and 134 to hit back to 5-3, but Taylor followed an earlier 121 bull finish with a 118 checkout before sealing victory by taking out 75.

Raymond van Barneveld, the Premier League champion three years ago, came from 4-1 down to defeat Adrian Lewis in a deciding leg, as the two-time World Champion missed three darts to snatch a draw in a dramatic finale. Lewis capitalised on eight missed doubles from the Dutchman to win the opening two legs and, after a 14-darter got Van Barneveld onto the scoreboard, finishes of double 14 and double 17 gave the Stoke thrower a three-leg cushion.

Lewis, though, missed doubles in the next two as Van Barneveld hit back before the five-time World Champion finished 81 to level and double 18 to lead 5-4. Lewis levelled with a 14-darter before the pair traded 180s in leg 11, which Van Barneveld took with an 84 checkout before being handed a reprieve for his missed bull for a 170 finish in the decider when Lewis was unable to finish 36.

2009 Premier League champion James Wade made a winning start with a strong display to defeat Kim Huybrechts 7-5. The Belgian, returning for his second Premier League season, hit back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to level only to then miss his chance to move ahead in leg seven.

A second 96 finish of the game saw Wade regain the advantage, and despite a 134 finish from Huybrechts it was the left-hander who closed out victory with the aid of a 180 in the deciding leg. Peter Wright was the night’s other winner as he edged out Jelle Klaasen 7-4 as the Dutchman returned to the Premier League stage for the first time since 2009.

After a 120 finish gave Wright an early 2-1 cushion, Klaasen hit back with finishes of 76 and 68 to lead 3-2 and remained locked at four-all in a tight contest. Wright, though, capitalised on missed doubles from the former Lakeside Champion in two of the final three legs to pull clear and claim the two points.

Wright will take on reigning champion Van Gerwen next Thursday at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, with the season’s second league night also featuring Taylor’s clash with Wade in a repeat of two previous Premier League finals. Two-time champion Anderson takes on Klaasen, Lewis meets Chisnall and Van Barneveld faces Huybrechts. For tickets, call 0843 373 3000 or visit www.motorpointarenanottingham.com

Wade v Huybrechts:
2009 Premier League champion James Wade made a winning start with a strong display to defeat Kim Huybrechts 7-5. The Belgian, returning for his second Premier League season, hit back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to level only to then miss his chance to move ahead in leg seven. A second 96 finish of the game saw Wade regain the advantage, and despite a 134 finish from Huybrechts it was the left-hander who closed out victory with the aid of a 180 in the deciding leg. “It was steady but I got the job done,” said Wade. “I tend to be active on my legs but lazy when my opponent has the throw, but I was strong on Kim’s throw tonight.”It’s brilliant to get back on the Premier League stage and the crowd were fantastic.”

Barney v Lewis:
Raymond van Barneveld, the Premier League champion three years ago, came from 4-1 down to defeat Adrian Lewis in a deciding leg, as the two-time World Champion missed three darts to snatch a draw in a dramatic finale. Lewis capitalised on eight missed doubles from the Dutchman to win the opening two legs, and after a 14-darter got Van Barneveld onto the scoreboard finishes of double 14 and double 17 gave the Stoke thrower a three-leg cushion. Lewis, though, missed doubles in the next two as Van Barneveld hit back before the five-time World Champion finished 81 to level and double 18 to lead 5-4.

Lewis levelled with a 14-darter before the pair traded 180s in leg 11, which Van Barneveld took with an 84 checkout before being handed a reprieve for his missed bull for a 170 finish in the decider when Lewis was unable to finish 36. “When you’re 4-1 down you’d take a draw but Adrian missed those darts at the end and let me in,” said Van Barneveld, who averaged almost 100. “When I missed the 170 I thought I’d lost it but it’s a weird game sometimes. “It’s a good two points and I’m happy because if you start with the two points you can’t do any better than that.”

Taylor v Chisnall:
Six-time Premier League champion Phil Taylor began his final season in the tournament with a 7-3 defeat of Dave Chisnall, who never recovered from seeing a slow start punished as the 56-year-old moved 4-1 up. Chisnall’s first leg had been an 11-darter, and he then took out 160 and 134 to hit back to 5-3, but Taylor followed an earlier 121 bull finish with a 118 checkout before sealing victory by taking out 75.

“It was a bit scrappy but it’s good to get the win and the two points on the board,” said Taylor. “We both his some great finishes, the 121 was lovely and the 118 was great too. “It’s massive for me because every point will be crucial this year. It’s my last Premier League and I’m determined to enjoy it.”